SALISBURY, Md. – After playing an outsized role in helping his team extend its streak of winning seasons, linebacker Casey Counts of the Salisbury University football team earned a spot on the D3football.com National Team of the Week for Week 11, as revealed on Tuesday morning.
 
Counts, a senior from Oakton, Va., recorded seven tackles (three for loss), two sacks, and three quarterback hurries in the Sea Gulls' 31-28 triumph over Kean. For his efforts, he was recognized as the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
 
Over 10 games this season, Counts set career highs in tackles (47), tackles for loss (12), sacks (six), fumble recoveries (four), and forced fumbles (three). He is the national co-leader in fumble recoveries and ranks 26th in forced fumbles and 94th in sacks. Within the NJAC, Counts is the league leader in sacks and fumble recoveries while ranking third in tackles for loss and forced fumbles.
 
Counts is the second Sea Gull to play his way onto the D3football Team of the Week this season after defensive tackle Frank Giannetti was awarded a spot during Week 7.
 
Salisbury went 6-4 during the 2023 season and tied for second in the NJAC with a 4-2 league mark. The Sea Gulls secured their 14th consecutive winning season with the Senior Night victory over Kean.